Zara's inquest: Teachers deleted social media, avoided public places, court told

 

The school’s former senior assistant for student affairs, Asnie Marjan, testified that teachers and staff were attacked by netizens on social media. —File pic.

KOTA KINABALU: Staff of SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha (TDM) were afraid to go to public places following the incident involving the late Zara Qarina Mahathir on July 17.

The school's former senior assistant for student affairs, Asnie Marjan, testified that teachers and staff were attacked by netizens on social media.

"Yes, netizens made wild, slanderous and baseless allegations against the teachers.

"Many teachers deleted their Facebook accounts. Some were afraid to go to malls, shops and markets," he told the Coroner's Court during Zara's inquest.

The 57th witness was examined by lawyer Shahlan Jufri, who represents Zara's family.

Earlier, Shahlan had asked about the social media attacks directed at school staff after the 13-year-old was found unconscious on July 16 at the school, and later pronounced dead the next day at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Asnie, now an officer with the Papar District Education Office, said the school had done its best.

He said that as the oldest among the teachers at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha, he chose to motivate his colleagues after the incident rather than break down in front of them.

When asked whether the social media criticism faced by school staff had any similarity to how seniors treated Zara on the night of July 15, Asnie said he was unsure and unable to elaborate.

Shahlan also questioned him about three incidents — a physical contact case in March, Zara's incident in July, and another physical contact case in September.

Asnie responded: "As I explained yesterday, sir, education does not only happen in school but also at home. We implemented a discipline programme which, in my view, is quite good."

To a question on whether the programmes at TDM were effective in preventing such incidents from recurring, he replied: "Yes, the programmes planned at SMKA TDM are effective, but these are isolated cases.

"There are still 500 students who are doing well. In my experience, we have around 600 students, and the programmes have had an impact. But it is impossible for us to produce 100 per cent perfect students."

The inquest resumes at 2pm.